PHILADELPHIA – Steve Trachsel returns tonight to an ideal situation. After undergoing the same treatment that produced the Bobby Jones Norfolk Miracle Cure last season, he will face the Devils Rays, the worst team in baseball.

So what will Trachsel have now that he didn’t have before he left for Norfolk a month ago with a 1-6 record and an 8.24 ERA?

“How long is your article?” said Trachsel, who was 2-0 with a 2.79 ERA in the minors, including a seven-inning no-hitter. “Hopefully a little bit of confidence, better consistency with my fastball and a little bit better tempo.”

Despite owning the most losses (39) of any pitcher since the beginning of ’99, Trachsel isn’t looking at his career in need of revitalization.

“It doesn’t have anything to do with my career being in jeopardy,” said Trachsel, who says he’s not worried about being banished to the bullpen if he falters tonight.

“The whole point of me going down there was for me to throw these games and come back and start,” Trachsel said. “The bullpen’s never been a thought and it still isn’t.”

*

Before last night’s 6-5 win over the Phils, John Stearns planned on reading Wallace Matthews’ column in Thursday’s Post about Roger Clemens headlined, “Man or Mouse?”

Stearns, who was very vocal about Clemens’ charades last season, is only going to make one statement about Clemens.

“If I were Roger, I would insist on pitching at Shea Stadium,” Stearns said.

*

Bob Murphy, the Mets Hall of Fame broadcaster, was released from the hospital yesterday after a week-and-a-half stay with pneumonia . . . Joe McEwing started in right field and went 2-for-4. Yesterday was the first game Darryl Hamilton didn’t start in a week. Hamilton played very well, going 8-for-20 (.400) over that span.

Valentine said he probably would give Mike Piazza today off and not DH him tonight. Don’t be surprised if he changes his mind.

*

Jerrod Riggan was sent down to make room for Trachsel. Valentine continued to be impressed with Riggan. When Riggan was previously sent down, Valentine said he liked what he saw.

“I feel even better now than I did,” Valentine said. “He made an adjustment with his leg kick in the big leagues. He was very successful. I was very impressed he was able to do that, shorten it as much as he did and still threw very effectively.”